Here is the new entry level Porsche Macan and as expected it has a turbocharged four-cylinder motor. However, it does not have the turbo boxer four-cylinder that is in development and instead is using the VW Group 2.0 liter EA888 architecture. It has the same 9.6:1 compression ratio as the Audi 2.0 TFSI models and likely the exact same iron block and aluminum head. Output over the Q5 2.0 is raised from 211 horsepower to 237 for the Macan.

Interestingly, torque is quoted at the same 258 lb-ft. It is somewhat disappointing to see Porsche raiding the VW parts bin but they are developing their own turbo four-cylinder for the Cayman and Boxster. This is clearly a cost cutting measure and makes the four-cylinder Macan available earlier than if Porsche were to wait to launch it with their new boxer four. Not to mention that motor would step on the Macan S toes while the EA888 2.0 is comfortably behind the Macan S and Turbo.

Is the base Macan exciting? It will handle well and have the same PDK dual clutch transmission as its big brothers. It just will be missing a whole lot of the punch but that is where tuners like APR who do great things with this motor come in to the picture.